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Google.org, Google's philanthropic arm, has recently donated $10.25 million in investments to fund a technology called Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). As part of Google's Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal initiative, the $10 million will be used to fund research into a technology that could provide energy at a price cheaper than coal. EGS is an expanded geothermal system technology which does not rely on natural underground packets of hot water or steam unlike its conventional counterparts. Instead, EGS mimics these naturally-occurring packets to create renewable energy.

To be able to replicate the desired conditions, the EGS process fractures hot rocks and circulates water through the set-up. The steam which results from the process is then used to generate energy through the use of a turbine. Since energy generation isn't limited to locations with packets of steam and hot water, EGS has the potential to be used anywhere on earth and hence could be especially beneficial for developing countries.

Dan Reicher, Director of Climate and Energy Initiatives for Google.org, says in a statement that clearly shows the company's roots, "EGS could be the 'killer app' of the energy world. It has the potential to deliver vast quantities of power 24/7 and be captured nearly anywhere on the planet. And it would be a perfect complement to intermittent sources like solar and wind."